TRAVERTINE

Travertine is a rare, exotic stone.  Travertine is formed by calcium-rich hot spring water flowing through layers of limestone in the earth. The hot water dissolves some of the limestone while precipitating calcite (calcium carbonate) in those void areas.  Travertine is similar in composition to limestone, but limestone is formed in marine environments.

The beauty of travertine comes from its warm hues and soft textures.  It has never gone out of style and never will. Travertine can be white, cream, yellow, pink, tan, or even sometimes reddish, thanks to iron deposits in the stone.

Browse some of our most popular travertine colors for your next project.  Remember that as a natural stone, travertine slabs may vary from the images you see online.  No two slabs of natural stone are identical.  Book an appointment to visit our showroom, conveniently located between Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

How durable is travertine?  Travertine is not appropriate choice for a working surface, such as kitchen countertops due to its softness.  Its softness makes it prone to scratching.  In addition, the stone is very porous, with obvious “holes” or voids in the stone.  This unique texture of travertine can be left “unfilled” for visual and textural uniqueness, or it can be filled with epoxy to produce a smoother surface. The use of sealer is absolutely necessary since it is such a porous stone.

What are appropriate uses for travertine?  While travertine is not suitable for a kitchen countertop, it makes for an excellent backsplash, bathroom vanity, wall tile, table top, or even flooring.  Travertine cladding is a great choice for interior and exterior walls, as is commonly seen in commercial buildings, public spaces, and even private residential bathrooms.